Agroecological Crop Protection

This book reviews the principles of agroecology and how they can be applied to crop protection. The authors analyse several participative experiments carried out in the context of temperate or tropical agriculture.

This monograph starts by presenting the principles of agroecology and their application to crop protection, supplemented by a critical review of how such protective measures have evolved. It then analyses several real-life, participative experiments carried out in different contexts in order to protect fruit and vegetable crops against their pests. Practical recommendations are then proposed for temperate and tropical cropping systems. The final chapter presents the key factors underlying a transition to agroecological farming.

Addressing numerous issues

How can crop protection against pests and diseases be reconciled with the socioeconomic, ecological, environmental and health sustainability of agroecosystems? Given the limitations of the current system, how can we ensure a transition from the control techniques recommended in the context of integrated pest management towards the agroecological protection of crops, an innovative methodology to manage different components in an agroecosystem?

The contributions of 56 authors from a variety of backgrounds reflect both the needs and expectations of the scientific and farming communities. Their experience in research, teaching, training and knowledge transfer in different production environments, alongside the rigour of their scientific approaches, ensure the depth and originality of this work, which offers a mine of information for professionals and for training in agronomy, crop protection and the management of biodiversity or agroecology.

Editors

Jean-Philippe Deguine, entomologist and agroecologist with CIRAD, has more than 30 years of international experience in crop protection in a variety of agroecosystems on different continents. He was the president of the European IPMEurope network and has managed several innovative, participative projects on agroecological crop protection.

Caroline Gloanec, an agriculture and agrifood engineer specialised in agricultural development. She coordinated the Biophyto project for the Chamber of Agriculture in La Réunion.

Philippe Laurent, a microbiologist with a wealth of experience in plant diseases, is senior lecturer at the University Institute of Technology in La Réunion. He manages the training course for professionals to qualify in agroecological crop protection.

Alain Ratnadass is an entomologist with CIRAD who is now based in Montpellier, having worked for 25 years in Africa which included 15 years focusing on sorghum pests. He specialises in the integrated protection of tropical crops against pests.

Jean-Noël Aubertot, an INRA agronomist, specialises in the sustainable management of major crop pests (plant pathogens, animal pests and weeds). He has designed several models for the management of cryptogam diseases, and is coordinating various national and international programmes in the field of crop protection.